Danny Ainge hired as CEO of basketball operations

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think it's safe to say that people at this level do not like having someone step on their toes...Whether that's someone under or below them on totem pole. I'm betting that everyone said nice things in MIL when JZ was passed over for the job, but the reality is that he's probably out of here soon just like he was out of MIL and DL was out of HOU when they passed him over for Morey.

probably... which sucks. There was one part of the press conference where Smith was like "if Ainge and Justin disagree they will bring the question to me..." Sooooooo who do we think Smith will side with.

JZ may not have a ton of options... he's interviewed for a lot of jobs. So maybe he will see that this could be good. Ainge might be a good big picture guy and might grease the wheels on some deals... JZ can indentify the best prospects and players etc. I'm going to try and be optimistic from now on... although Danny has a very punchable face.

 

[SteakNEggs]

Isn't this the guy that wouldn't even help us after he tampered with Gordon and screwed the entire franchise over?

BYU though

 

[nateboz]

Danny the d bag. Lame.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

 

[NAOS]

Maybe I missed all the stories where everyone is singing his praises, but in recent years he's built up quite the reputation and that doesn't come from nothing. Some of it is probably overblown, sure, but there are not very many GM's that have a negative reputation for a variety of different reasons like Ainge does.

It sounds like you’re buying a lot of stock in the media buzz.

 

[infection]

**** Danny Ainge

And **** all his bros.

**** all these line-toeing hip reporter wannabes. **** small ball anything, **** JC’s tattoos. **** all you stat junkies and **** your short memories! Yeah, **** FO apologists with hidden agendas. **** these dysfunctional insecure columnists!

 

[slc]

So does anyone know if Ainge has been to all Jazz home games
Has he attended any practices
Has he been talking to players and coaches during season
How is he going to jump in here and start making big decisions before the trade deadline

 

[KqWIN]

It sounds like you’re buying a lot of stock in the media buzz.

Some of it is buzz, some of it isn't. It isn't buzz that players were bothered by the IT situation, that he says he "almost" made a good trade, or that he's made comments to diminish efforts that players make off the court. His reputation as someone who tries to rip everyone off is more media buzz, but that also comes from him actually ripping off teams in trades. All that talk kinda started when he fleeced BKN and created the infamous war chest. That's obviously something that looks good on his record, but it's not unreasonable to think that teams are extra careful when trading with him or that he asks for a lot in trades as reporting has suggested.

Apparently I'm missing a large spectrum of reporting that suggest the opposite, however, so maybe I'm wrong.

 

[NAOS]

Some of it is buzz, some of it isn't. It isn't buzz that players were bothered by the IT situation, that he says he "almost" made a good trade, or that he's made comments to diminish efforts that players make off the court. His reputation as someone who tries to rip everyone off is more media buzz, but that also comes from him actually ripping off teams in trades. All that talk kinda started when he fleeced BKN and created the infamous war chest. That's obviously something that looks good on his record, but it's not unreasonable to think that teams are extra careful when trading with him or that he asks for a lot in trades as reporting has suggested.

Apparently I'm missing a large spectrum of reporting that suggest the opposite, however, so maybe I'm wrong.

I’ve said that I think Danny overplayed the “Players as assets” model of roster management, but to act like he’s just wildly out of phase with other GMs is silly.

 

[KqWIN]

The last paragraph is why I think sometimes DL may have gotten lucky.... once you are good the other stuff is easier... so you shouldn't screw up that stuff. He did the hard part of getting the top tier talent (JZ had a role in that with Conley and Bogey by all accounts). Its the stuff where you go "what the hell?" that should have been easier to nail. Just like JZ taking Butler this year in the draft... do the obvious thing... don't draft two centers who can't shoot... take a shot at a wing or the obvious guy. Don't roll the full MLE out for a backup center with iffy health history for the feel goods... especially if the salary situation about to get iffy.

JZ did the obvious and kinda easy stuff this offseason... its an easier job than getting the all-stars in the door... do if DL was awesome why did he eff that stuff up so spectacularly?

I think DL is a great guy to have to build a culture and program... I think Houston or NO should consider bringing him in. I am not sure what to make of the last couple years of his tenure... was he lucky? did he get lazy? did he see the writing on the wall and say eff it?

Overall he left us soooooooo much better than he found us. So I thank him for his service.

I don't think being good makes it easier to land Joe, Ingles, Niang, Clarkson or land Gobert and Mitchell in the first place. If anything, maybe you give Quin more credit for developing those guys....but the way we built a title favorite is pretty incredible when you take a step back and think about it.

I see why some of his moves are extremely bad and frustrating, but how does that hold up to drafting Gobert and Mitchell? He could have drafted 10 Dok's with the 27th pick, but if he also drafted Gobert with the 27th pick his draft record is extraordinarily good. It sucks to completely blow a late first round draft pick and probably have to pay even more down the line to undo it, but compare that to the consequences of not having a future HOF player....yeah it's not really close IMO. Btw, we can blame DL for making the Dok pick, but JZ is the one who picked up his option and we're going to be reminded of that mistake in a few months.

I get that there's a lot of luck involved, especially with the draft, but you've got to give credit for the moves they make. DL built this team with a series of several great moves. I don't think I necessarily believe that he's a great guy to build a team but not bring us to the finish line. I understand if he has to go because you wanted Quin more and they couldn't work together, but the moves that we need now and the moves we needed in the last couple of years are the moves he hit on. It would be killer if we found another Ingles/Royce, made a trade for a huge upgrade like JC, or found a key contributor with our limited draft assets.

 

[Sean]

Can't wait for the next racist outburst at a Jazz game and Danny to say he's never heard anything racist from a Utah fan in all his life so therefore it doesn't matter.

 

[KqWIN]

I’ve said that I think Danny overplayed the “Players as assets” model of roster management, but to act like he’s just wildly out of phase with other GMs is silly.

Sure, maybe it's overblown. But how many GMs have that reputation? I don't think Ainge is just unlucky that he has the rep he does.

That's just one of the bad reputations he has too...and maybe they're overblown too, but he developed those reputations for a reason. Some of those reasons are well publicized things that came straight from his mouth.

 

[framer]

Sure, maybe it's overblown. But how many GMs have that reputation? I don't think Ainge is just unlucky that he has the rep he does.

That's just one of the bad reputations he has too...and maybe they're overblown too, but he developed those reputations for a reason. Some of those reasons are well publicized things that came straight from his mouth.

Honestly 90% of NBA fans can name like 5 GMs tops. Ainge is probably one that they know. Generally, if you get a shot at someone like that as an "afterthought" team, you should probably take it.